In his first rally on the Indian soil, Joaquim Rodrigues blazed through the second leg of the India BAJA rally to come out triumphant, handing Hero MotoSports Team Rally its first win here on Sunday.,
The maiden win for Joaquim Rodrigues and the Hero MotoSports Team Rally as well comes as team completes a year since the its formation in April, 2016.
The final leg of India BAJA comprised of a shorter run of about 286 kms, out of which 140 kms made up the timed sections. The two specials of the day ran for 88 and 52 kms respectively, around the famous “Turkon ki Basti” in San region of Jaisalmer, that offers a fast yet difficult track to the riders with undulating terrain, habitation and thick bushes all along.
Joaquim Rodrigues made light of the opening stage of the day to complete the 88-km fifth special in quick time. He followed it up by continuing his winning run in the final stage as well to bring his first win home.
The second place was claimed by the Dakar campaigner Aravind K P of the Sherco TVS team, followed by Tanveer Abdul Wahid from TVS Racing finished who finished overall in the 3rd spot but won the Dakar Challenge, giving him a free entry into the Merzouga and the Dakar rallies.
This is the 2nd back to back podium finish for the Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the first being the Desert Storm 2017. This win gives just the right momentum to the Hero MotoSports Team Rally to go into the Merzouga rally that is scheduled in May, just under a month from now.
Joaquim Rodrigues (Comp No: 01), said “Today was a perfect day for me with no mistakes. I opened the stage today so no dust and that helped me do my own race. It’s really good to go to the end and win the race. I have to thank my Hero MotoSports Team rally for giving me the best bike and I am really happy for me and my team that I could win this. We now looking forward to Merzouga.”
On his first win in the rally circuit, Rodrigues said “It is always nice to win especially because I am new in this rally world. So it’s good to have my first win but I still have a lot to learn and we are on the right track.
Wolfgang Fischer, Team manager, HeroMotoSports Team Rally, said “it was a great adventure to participate in the BAJA India and to finally bring home the first victory for Hero MotoSports Team Rally. Hopefully it is also a big step for the future of the motor sports in India. We would like to thank the organisation for putting up a great race and also for the cooperation extended to us. We also congratulate Tanveer for winning the Dakar Challenge and hopefully we will see many more riders coming from India in the future”
eom/HeroMotoSports release
